If you know me, you will not be surprised to learn that I listen to National Public Radio (NPR). The other day I was late for an event, but I was mesmerized by the story of a Washington, DC high school that is using restorative justice. NPR officially calls experiences like this, “driveway moments,” and I have had my share over the years. This “driveway moment” resulted from a story called A Year of Love and Struggle in a New High School. I think it is worth sharing with you and revisiting often. I love it because it reminds usRead More

July 20, 2017 | Comments Off on The Results are in: Trainings’ Approval Percentage in High 90s

After every training we ask attendees to complete evaluation forms to help us measure how we’re doing. As you can see, responses have been overwhelmingly positive from both the large-audience and boutique seminars! If you haven’t already experienced one of our sessions, contact us about our training offerings and join us at an upcoming session. Here’s a summary of what Introduction to Restorative Justice and Restorative Circles attendees told us through the spring of 2017. 1. The objective of the workshop was made clear at the outset. 74% Strongly Agree and 23% Agree for 97% approval level. 2. The objectivesRead More

August 1st brings new legal requirements affecting your school discipline process. Are you ready to comply with the new law requiring your school to consider restorative justice before imposing a long-term suspension or expulsion? We can help. Schertzing Communications, LLC supports the use and integration of the restorative justice philosophy and practices in schools. As a training and consulting firm, our goal is to foster the adoption and empower the use of restorative justice (RJ) in learning communities. To that end we provide a variety of highly-acclaimed training services and back them up with supportive coaching and mentoring until attendeesRead More

May 26, 2017 | Comments Off on Get Ready to Comply with New School Discipline Laws

With Memorial Day upon us, the end of the school year is just a blink away. In your summer planning for the 2017-18 school year, don’t forget the new law requiring schools to consider restorative justice before imposing a long-term suspension or expulsion. This new law turns Zero Tolerance on its head, and takes effect August 1, 2017. It is imperative that your discipline team start the year well trained for full compliance. Schertzing Communications is here to help! Our Introduction to Restorative Justice and Restorative Circles trainings will inform and prepare key staff to meet the law’s requirements. WeRead More

In the late 1990s when zero tolerance policies started in our nation’s schools they were designed to keep students safe. This was the Three-Strikes-and-You’re-Out era when everyone was “getting tough on crime.” And, like so many criminal justice processes, we extended those policies and attitudes to our schools. Then, shocked by the Columbine High School massacre, our society responded in our typical fashion: we doubled down on punishment. For years, and with each subsequent school shooting, we got tougher. Here in Michigan ten-day suspensions were handed down for all sorts of conduct violations from fights to insubordination. Michigan’s Zero ToleranceRead More

I had lunch last week with a friend who asked me about my work. I gave her my elevator speech explanation of Restorative Justice, and she replied: “I believe in it. I just think you need a better name for it.” Boy, I couldn’t agree more. I told her I’ve wracked my brain to think of a shorter, more direct word or phrase that fully encompasses the concept of mutual accountability, forgiveness and unity. The closest English word I can think of is atone because it combines two words: at & one, and RJ is a process that brings peopleRead More